Even though it didn’t look like we would see him again after 2009’s Avatar, Twentieth Century Fox has confirmed that actor Stephen Lang will retun as Colonel Miles Quaritch in their three upcoming Avatar sequels.

“Steven was so memorable in the first film, we’re privileged to have him back,” director James Cameron said in a statement. “I’m not going to say exactly HOW we’re bringing him back, but it’s a science fiction story, after all. His character will evolve into really unexpected places across the arc of our new three-film saga. I really look forward to working with such a gifted actor, who’s also become a good friend.”

The release of the first sequel will be in December 2016, with the second to follow in December 2017, and the third a year later. Sam Worthington said last week that he would start filming this time next year.

Avatar 2, 3, and 4 will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau through their Lightstorm Entertainment banner. Writers Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds), Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planets of the Apes), and Shane Salerno (Savages) are all currently penning the individual sequels.